Quick draw holster



April 29, 1958 A. OJALA QUICK DRAW HOLSTER 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug.21, 1956 R '1 Em 9 LZV A0 HRE LT EE AN H9 6 7 JE 8 m Z 3 2 4 0W R T ww.2 01 [LA 2 v N w W R v 5 A ua m Z HW v" 2 0 2 Z w M M 8 k z I 9 April29, 1958 A. OJALA QUICK DRAW HOLSTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21,1956 ARI/O OJAL A,

IN V EN TOR.

HUEBNER, BEEHLER, WORREL 8 HERZ/G,

w ATTORNEYS.

Uted States Patent QUICK DRAW HOLSTER Arvo Ojala, North Hollywood,Calif.

Application August 21, 1956, Serial No. 605,253

6 Claims. (Cl. 2242) The invention relates to pistol or revolverholsters and has particular reference to what is commonly identified asa quick draw holster.

While the design and fabrication of pistol and revolver holsters issomewhat of a well-known art and while the need has existed for arevolver or pistol holder from which the weapon can be Withdrawn withease for as long as weapons of this kind have been in use, there havebeen few innovations in fabrication or design for a great many years.

Despite the development of new weapons and personal sidearms, revolversand pistols, whether automatic or of the rotating chamber type, continueto be a popular defense weapon and continue to necessitate a proper typeholster by which they can be carried. Low enforcement agencies stillmake extensive use of a sidearm of this type, whether they be carriedopenly displayed by a policeman on the beat or carried in a more or lessconcealed position by law enforcement agents. Holsters are still indemand by the military where, together with the law enforcement use,quick action in an emergency is a prime essential. Also due to thecontinued popularity of characteristic Western characters on screen andtelevision performances, the quick draw technique requirements havepersisted to the point where much depends upon the ability of a personusing such weapons to outdraw and out-shoot a competitor.

To make it possible for one user to out-draw and outshoot another,especially with a weapon having a revolving chamber with a hammerneeding to be cocked before firing, the time consumed in cocking theweapon approaches in importance the time consumed in drawing and firing.A fraction of a second advantage in these re spects is often critical.

It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a new andimproved holster for pistol and re- .volving type weapons which permitsof extremely rapid withdrawal of the weapon in condition for immediatefiring.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holsterfor pistol and revolver type weapons which is of such construction thatit will maintain its form in relationship to the weapon in order thatthe rapidity of withdrawal will be consistent and further need beconstructed so that the holster will hold its position and in no Wayinterfere with manipulation of the gun.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved holsterassembly which is of such character that it can be fit to the wearer toconform to the wearers figure in such position that minimum time need beconsumed for withdrawing the weapon from the holster in shootingcondition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedholster for pistols and revolver type weapons which is of suchfundamental construction that it can be fit to a weapon of virtually anysize and proportion and which is further suificiently versatile so thatit Patented Apr. 29, 1958 can be adjusted to secure the weapon in theholster against accidental dislodgment without in any way impairing theeifectiveness of the holster as a quick draw holster.

Still further among the objects of the invention is to provide a new andimproved revolver and holster combination wherein the revolver fits theholster in such fashion that the revolving chamber can be rotated priorto withdrawal of the weapon from the holster thereby to condition it forfiring in the shortest possible time.

With these and other objects in view. the invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of thedevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter setforth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view showing the holster with pistol orrevolver included in place on a wearer.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the holster showing the pistol inposition therein for normal carrying.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view showing the holster broken away-to reveal therelationship of the revolver or pistol therein.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the holster alone with a carryingbelt therefor shown in section.

Figure 6 is a pattern layout view showing the particulars with respectto the weapon carrying portion of the holster.

In an embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustrationa person 19 is shown wearing a holster and pistol combination wherein abelt 11 fits diagonally across the hips with a high side 12 on thewearers left and a low side 13 on the wearers right, the belt beingsecured in the front by a buckle 14. The arrangement is one normal for aright-handed person. If preferred, the belt may be cut to a contourshape as suggested. As will be noted the low side 13 of the belt hangslow on the hip so that a holster indicated generally by the referencecharacter 15 lies low on the right thigh 16 of the right-handed personor wearer 10. A leg strap 17 is useful in keeping the holster snugagainst the leg in a position such that the right thumb 18 of the wearerfalls naturally at the level and location of a hammer 19 of a revolveror pistol indicated generally by the reference character 20.

More particularly the holster comprises a pocket member 21 and a flapmember 22 joined together by means of a web 23, as indicated to goodadvantage in Figures 5 and 6.

As shown the pocket member and the flap member comprise inner and outerwalls 24 and 25', respectively, contiguous throughout and which havestitched between them a sheet metal liner 26 of special size and form.

The pocket member includes a vertically folded rounded forward junction27 and a vertical stitched rear junction 28. Stitches along the rearjunction customarily extend throughout the vertical length of thejunction and fasten together the inner and outer walls and in turnfasten the walls together in the form of a vertical seam 29.

It should be noted further that on the belt 11 is a downwardly dependingtab 30 in which is a substantially horizontal slot 31. The web 23 whichis adapted to be confined within the slot 31 has formed therein notches32 and 33 which are clearly shown with respect to depth and location onFigure 6. It will be noted in this connection that the length of thehorizontal slot 31 is approximately the same as the length of a brokenline 34 extending across the web from the bottom of the slot 32 to thebottom of the slot 33.

sesame When the pocket member and flap member are in position so thatthe web is received in the slot 31, the notches 32 and 33 will be at theends of the slot and will firmly anchor the web within the slot. Thusfirmly anchored the prospect of the pocket member being displaced duringa quick draw and slid upward with respect to the location of the slot isvirtually minimized.

The sheet metal liner 26 satisfies a variety of needs including that ofstifiening the upper portion or": the pocket member in a selectedposition and form. Once in place the liner is secured by the employmentof Stitches 35 which may extend around the open perimeter of the pocketmember. 7

The sheet metal liner is relatively stiff and when combined with theleather forming the inner wall 2 and outer wall 25 a combination ofthese three materials face to face is one adapted to the forming of aspace 36 of fixed size and proportions. A tab 37 is wider at its outerend than at the junction 38 of the tab with the liner proper, the shapeof which tends to anchor the liner in its selected position so that itwill be undisturbed once the inner and outer walls of the pocket memberare folded and shaped in the desired position.

In the form of the invention chosen for submission the weapon to be usedis a pistol or revolver type weapon, either single or double action,comprising a handle 4%, a barrel 41, and a mid-portion 42 in which arotating chamber 43 is mounted. Usually the chamber is one divided intosix shell bores 4-4. The weapon includes a trigger 45 around whichextends a trigger guard 46.

The hammer 19 previously referred to is adapted to be pulled backward incocked position ready for firing by finger pressure upon the trigger 45.When the pistol or revolver is in position in the pocket member, asecuring loop 47 may be slung over the hammer 19 to keep the weapon fromslipping out of its proper position within the pocket member. Aparticular advantage lies in havin an end 48 of the loop where it isattached to the pocket member located at the upper rear wall face of thepocket member, as shown to good advantage in Figure 5. This requiresthat the loop 47 be long enough to be swung around the front curved edgeof the pocket member into a position over the hammer when ordinarycarrying is desired.

Also of special importance is the shape and pro-pen tioning of the space36 so that there is a clearance between the inner face of the interiorof the material forming the space 36 and the perimeter of the chamber43. So proportioned the chamber is free to rotate without impairment inany fashion while the weapon is permitted to remain within the pocketmember. Moreover, in that position there is provided a shelf edge 49 atthe rear of the pocket member such that it provides a shelf in properlocation upon which the trigger guard 46 supports the entire pistol whenin the case. This remains true whether or not the securing loop 47 beattached.

It is also significant to note that the metal liner 26 is of such sizethat ends 50 fall slightly short of the stitched junction 25 and permita slight degree of flexibility to the pocket member around the area ofthe stitched junction 28, thereby incorporating a degree of flexibilityto the pocket member without at the same time permitting collapse of thespace 36 to a point where it might bear upon the perimeter of thechamber 43 and thus impair most effective withdrawal of the weapon fromthe pocket member. Ordinarily the sheet metal liner 26, although ofrelatively light gage, is suthciently stiff so that when joined with thematerial of the inner and outer walls, a substantially rigid form may bemaintained. By

resting the trigger guard on the shelf edge the rotating chamber cannotfall deeply enough into the pocket member to permit any binding. Hencealthough the weapon may tilt to the position illustrated in Figure 4,there will be no binding of the pocket member upon the weapon at anypoint.

In use the holster is strapped to the person, as indicated in Figure 1,The pistol is then dropped into position. It is an importantconsideration that the thumb 118 when the wearer swings his arm downfalls into a notch 55 of the hammer so that pressure of the thumb uponthe hammer will cock the hammer while the weapon still rests in thepocket member. Cocking the hammer means that the chamber 43 issimultaneously rotated while the weapon ostensibly rests upon itstrigger guard in the pocket member. With one sweeping movement, however,and without differentiation between one position and another, the weaponis swept upwardly by continued movement of the users hand and withdrawal7 begins virtually with the close of rotation of the chamber iovement.At the same time the handle 40 of the weapon is grasped with the fingersof the users hand, the shooting finger of which falls within the triggerguard 46 in front of the triggerAS. Consequently as the barrel 41 of thepistol is raised to shooting position, the weapon can be fired. Althoughthese movements have been described as independent movements, eachcontinues so rapidly in succession that all of the movements becomevirtually one and the cocking, withdrawal and firing can thus be rapidlyaccomplished in less than one second in the hands of an experiencedoperator. As a guard against impairment of this rapid movement, theholster is secured to the leg by the leg strap 17 and is prevented fromslipping upwardly by engagement of the notch 32, 33 in the slot 31 ofthe belt.

After the weapon has been shot and returned, which return is facilitatedby reason of the open nature of the pocket member, the weapon can besecured against further withdrawal by stretching the loop 47 intoposition over the hammer 19.

There has been accordingly described herein a distinct improvement in apistol or revolver type holster which is firm and rugged in character,comfortable when worn, and which is adapted to extermely rapidwithdrawal of the weapon for use.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in what I haveconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of myinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. A quick draw revolver holster comprising an exterior pocket member,an interior flap member normally joined thereto and a web having a foldintermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, saidpocket member comprising inside and outside walls folded at a verticalforward junction and having a vertical rear junction, said inside andoutside walls having an unbroken curvature and being curved at aprogressively diminishing rate toward each other and continuouslythrough said forward junction, and a relatively stiff liner sheet ofform-holding consistency bound in a position intermediate said walls,said liner having a breadth in a vertical direction extending throughouta chamber portion of a revolver and having a shape standing clear ofsaid chamber.

2. A quick draw revolver holster comprising an exterior pocket member,an interior flap member normally joined thereto and a web having a foldintermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members, saidpocket member comprising inside and outside walls folded at a verticalforward junction and having edges forming a vertical rear junction, anda relatively stiff sheet metal liner in a fixed position intermediatesaid walls, said liner having a breadth in a vertical directionextending throughout a chamber portion of a revolver and having a shapestanding clear of said chamber, said liner including a tab extendingupwardly into an exterior end of said web and having a form holding saidpocket member outwardly away from said web.

3. A quick draw revolver holster assembly comprising a belt adapted forsecurement at the hips of a wearer and having a contour shape whereby aholster side thereoffits low on the hip and the opposite side fits highon the hip and means forming an elongated substantially horizontal sloton the holster side, a holster having an exterior pocket member, aninterior fiap member normal- 1y joined thereto and a web extendingthrough the slot, said web being wider than the length of said slot andhaving a fold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of saidmembers, and notches at the edges of said fold enabling said fold to fitwithin and around the ends of said slot, said pocket member comprisinginner and outer walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having avertical stitched rear junction, and a relatively stiff sheet metalliner in a fixed position inter mediate said walls, said liner having abreadth in a vertical direction adapted to extend throughout a chamberportion of a revolver and having a shape adapted to stand clear of saidchamber, said liner including a tab extending upwardly into an exteriorend of said web.

4. A quick draw revolver holster assembly comprising a belt adapted forsecurement at the hips of a wearer and having a contour shape whereby aholster side thereof fits low on the hip and the opposite side fits highon the hip and means forming an elongated substantially horizontal sloton the holster side, a holster having an exterior pocket member, aninterior flap member normally joined thereto and a web extending throughthe slot, said web being wider than the length of said slot and having afold intermediate said members and connecting the tops of said members,and notches at the edges of said fold enabling said fold to fit withinand around the ends of said slot, said pocket member comprising innerand outer walls folded at a vertical forward junction and having avertical stitched rear junction, and a relatively stiff sheet metalliner in a fixed position intermediate said walls, said liner having abreadth in a vertical direction adapted to extend throughout the chamberportion of a revolver and having a shape adapted to stand clear of saidchamber, said liner including a tab extending upwardly into an exteriorend of said web, and a hammer securing loop having an anchoring endsecured to the inner side of said pocket member intermediate saidforward and rear junctions.

5. A quick draw revolver and holster combination comprising a revolverhaving a rotating chamber, a hammer, a trigger guard, a barrel and ahandle, a holster comprising a pocket member, a flat member normallysecured to an inside face of said pocket member, said members beingjoined at the tops thereof, said pocket member comprising outer andinner walls of soft material and an intermediate wall of stiff material,said members having a vertical forward junction and] a vertical rearjunction, one of said walls having a breadth extending downwardly to alocation below the rotating chamber, said vertical rear junction at thetop thereof having an exposed depression forming a rest for said triggerguard whereby when the guard is resting on the depression the barrel islocated above the bottom of the pocket member, said forward junctionhaving an upper edge located below and exposing said hammer, saidintermediate wall having a fixed open form at the area occupied by thechamber and having an inner length and breadth exceeding the length andbreadth of said rotating chamber whereby said revolver is adapted to becocked and the chamber rotated while still in said pocket member.

6. A quick draw revolver and holster combination comprising a revolverhaving a rotating chamber, a hammer, a trigger guard, a barrel and ahandle, a holster adapted for attachment to a belt comprising a pocketmember, a fiat member normally secured to an inside face of said pocketmember and a web joining the tops of said members, said pocket membercomprisinginside and outside walls having a vertical forward junction ofprogressive continuous curvature and a vertical rear junction, a linerof stiff sheet material between said walls having a tab extending intoan outer end of said web and having a breadth extending downwardly to alocation below the rotating chamber, said vertical rear junction at thetop thereof having an exposed depression forming a rest for said triggerguard whereby when the guard is resting on the depression the barrel isclear of the bottom of the pocket member, said forward junction havingan upper edge located below and exposing said hammer, said pocket memberat the area occupied by the chamber having an inside length and breadthexceeding the length and breadth of said rotating chamber on all sidesthereof whereby said revolver is adapted to be cocked while still insaid pocket member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.84,841 Mordt Aug. 11, 1931 1,230,043 Shelton June 12, 1917 2,037,132Hoyt Apr. 14, 1936 2,092,222 Myres Sept. 7, 1937 2,297,008 McMillanSept. 29, 1942 2,504,369 Adair Apr. 18, 1950 2,577,869 Adams Dec. 11,1951 OTHER REFERENCES Stoeger: The Shooters Bible No. 40-1949 Ed. pg.183, item No. (copy in Div. 29).

